Rob Carrigan is a third-generation Colorado Native. His grandfather's homestead was near the Hamilton turnoff between Craig and Meeker. He grew up in Dolores. Carrigan can be reached by emailing rcarrigan61@msn.com.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Taking donations to get gold cap repaired

Times are tough, but thanks to the mine and the casinos, at
least we can afford gold for the roof over our head.

Last week, Cripple Creek & Victor Mining delivered a
72-ounce, solid, gold button that will be used to produce gold leaf for
Colorado the Capitol Dome. At current prices, that is nearly $130,000 worth of
gold.

“The dome now needs $17 million in urgent repairs that
the state doesn’t have to spare, and gold is once again booming, with prices
near all-time highs,” according to a Sept. 23 story by Kirk Johnson in the New
York Times.

“It’s your gold,” Mark Cutifani, the chief executive of
AngloGold Ashanti, the parent company of CC & V, was quoted in the Times. Cutifani handed over the gold to Governor John Hickenlooper at a ceremony at the Capitol. The company has owned CC & V Mining since 1999 and averages as much as 700
ounces of gold a day at its operation between Cripple Creek and Victor. It is
the largest private employer in Teller County.

“But in another twist of history, much of the real money for
the building’s broader repairs could also come, indirectly, from the once-moldering
old mining towns themselves.”

The Times piece cites the gambling tax that goes to a
statewide historic preservation fund that state lawmakers used to begin the
restoration process last year. Colorado Preservation, Inc. is pushing to
restore the fund, which they say will be exhausted if it has to pay for the
entire project. The effort has already raised $1.3 million (including the
mine’s contribution) in mostly in-kind donations and some small cash
collections.

The repairs will concentrate on the painted and gilded metal-clad
areas and is expected to be completed in mid 2014.